Stained Glass

The term Stained Glass is nothing but all form of glasses, which can be used in a decorative manner or the art and craft of working with it. There is little knowledge on the origin of stained glass. Today, it refers to a glass that has been colored.

There are two basic ways the glass is colored. The first is by fusing metallic salts or oxide in the glass. The second is by painting and baking transparent colors onto the surface of the glass. At times yellow stains or painted details are used to enhance the design of the stain glass.

This technique was generally used in jewelry making, making of church buildings and mosaics. Stained glass windows as we know them seemed to arise when church building began. The creating of stain glass windows is truly an art where the craftsman not only has to have the ability to design, but also the engineering ability to insure that the window will be able to support is own weight as well as withstand the elements.

By the 10th century stain glass windows where noted in France, Germany, and England. As the process developed in the 12-15th centuries scenes where less prevalent and the artist began create a pure atmosphere of light and color, inspiring a devoted attitude through the transformation of the ordinary into the spiritual.

Because of the constant raging wars much of the original glass was destroyed during the Middle Ages. As new nations roses from the ashes national identities developed in various regions of Europe. Differences in the basic philosophy of beauty change the glass designs and production.

Today there has been an explosion of interest in this form of art. New technologies have developed a growing interest in stained glass not only as an industry, but also as a hobby. It is not unusual to see homes with beautiful glass entryways or stained glass bathroom windows.

Whether the use of stain glass is a passing fancy, or a continuously developing art form can only be confirmed in the future.

The Coffee Table Book Section Just Gets Larger

I found some addition coffee table books that many be good gifts:

Maxfield Parrish - We are pleased to bring this classic work back into print. A compendium of the life and work of Maxfield Parrish, it is an essential part of a Parrish library.

Art Deco Ironwork & Sculpture - Treasure is brought back to life in this fantastic volume of decorative ironwork and sculpture. Fantastic photography explores the work of artisans of the burgeoning Moderne Art movement in Paris.

Fifties Glass - A fascinating and insightful look into the art glass of the 1950s, this revised second edition spans the range of 1950s art glass from common collectibles to those of museum quality, displaying the diversity and creativity of style, color, and shape.

Scandinavian Glass 1930-2000 - A tradition of creating beautiful Scandinavian art glass began in the 1930s and continues today. The well known companies Orrefors, Kosta, iittala, Nuutajarvi Notsjo, Holmegaard, Riihimaen Lasi, and other less famous firms, have been on the creative edge of glass design for over three quarters of century.

Cowboy Culture - The American cowboy's unique life-style inspired tools, clothing, amusements, advertising, and more, which are avidly sought by collectors today.
Pewter of the Western World, 1600-1850 - Pewter of the Western World is the first comprehensive and authoritative study of antique pewter on an international basis to be published in the English language.